There are certain legal requirements for a civil marriage or a conversion to marriage ceremony for example, the wedding must take place between 8am-7pm and it must begin within an hour of the scheduled start time.

Specific vows have to be said exactly as required by law (however you can add your own personalised vows), two witnesses are needed to hear these vows being said and legal certificates have to be signed.

Such civil ceremonies need to be held at an approved location or the Office of the Superintendent Registrar. Many hotels and island wedding venues are already approved locations but you can apply to have a certain place or area licenced for your wedding such as a private home or garden, an outdoor location or beach. Where the actual ceremony happens is very specific and no food or drink can be served in this area from an hour before and until the ceremony is complete.

In terms of content, a civil marriage or conversion ceremony has to be ‘solemn and dignified’ but can be tailored to suit you. I’ll work with you to create the ceremony you want incorporating readings, poems, music and performance as you’d like.

Guests can be involved with readings or I can do these on your behalf or be on standby as needed. And if you’d like a more personalised and detailed script, I can create this for you too.

You can include certain religious and spiritual content such as bible readings or hymns (played or performed) however you can’t include prayers, psalms or any acts of worship as a civil marriage ceremony has to be quite distinct from a religious one.

My fees are paid directly to me over and above the application process administered by the Office. If you’d like me to conduct your ceremony you need to let the Office know. I’ll then confirm the content agreed by us with them as well as collecting your marriage certificates, overseeing the signing of them and returning them.

A simple marriage/conversion to marriage service includes me conducting the exchange of your legal vows and overseeing the administration of your marriage certificates. A marriage/conversion to marriage ceremony would include this as well the creation of a bespoke occasion with a personalised script telling your story. I am happy to work with your budget though so please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans in more detail.